I swept through the foyer, my short summery dress bringing a smile to my face as everyone stared at me in confusion. It was well into October, only a few days away from Halloween, and I was already collecting lots of candy to give out on the day.

I gazed happily at the letter from Nadir that I held in my lacy gloved hand. It seemed he was going to be away longer than he expected, but he'd send me more information as soon as he heard. He also told me to keep an eye on Erik, which he didn't need to say, because I was backing Erik up all the way on his quest to win over Christine.

And speaking of the Devil, she came floating down the stairs towards me.

"Jennifer!" She shouted, waving to me.

I flinched. Christine and I had been introduced through Meg, and said hi to each other on occasion, but her friendship didn't go any deeper. I wondered if it was too late to turn around and run. I could only presume this was about Erik. Though how she knew that I knew him was a mystery to me.

She stopped in front of me, her flushed cheeks and bright eyes only inches away from my own face. She took my hands in hers.

"Is it true?" She gasped, pausing for breath. "Do you know the Phantom of the Opera?"

I cringed. "What?"

"Joseph Buquet has been telling everyone that you're in cahoots with the Opera Ghost!"

I raised an eyebrow. How did Joseph know I knew Erik?

"Are you accusing me of 'being in cahoots' with a superstition?" I said, rolling my eyes while smiling. "And since when did anyone take what that drunk had to say seriously?"

"Jennifer, tell me the truth, do you know him on a personal level?" Christine asked, shaking my hands as her eyes willed me to tell her the truth.

I stared her in the eyes, to see her flinch at my honest stare. "Christine, I don't know him. All I know is what the other girls tell me."

She nodded, biting her lip as she looked away dejectedly. "I have met him."

I knew this, but I couldn't let her know I knew. "Christine…" I trailed off, hoping my unspoken words would say enough.

"I'm not crazy!" She gripped my hands tightly, the strength I never knew she had showing itself. "He took me to his lair!"

"Christine, why don't you go home and rest? You've got Il Muto coming up soon."

She nodded again. "Yes, because I need to rest my voice for I, don't I?" She whispered mockingly.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What's happened?"

"I was cast for the silent role."

I paused. "Wait, it's an opera, but it has silent roles?"

"There's only one silent role, Serafimo."

"But your debut in Hannibal!-"

"-Went better than anyone could have expected. But the audience obviously want Carlotta."

She let go of my hands, her arms drooping lazily beside her thin fragile body. I stared at her, shocked. She rubbed at her eyes, brushing past me, excusing herself as she went home. I watched after her, confused and hurt. Whatever Christine was feeling at that moment, Erik would have been feeling it tenfold.

I ran up the foyer stairs, deciding that Box Five was the fastest way to Erik.

"Shit." I mumbled, stuffing Nadir's letter into the dress's pocket, as I counted my way past all of the boxes that I jogged alongside.

What I wasn't expecting was Joseph leaning outside Box Five. He glanced at me, smiling wickedly.

"Hello."

I froze. He was waiting for me, but how…?

"Why have you been telling everyone I'm in league with the Opera Ghost?"

He staggered over to me, clutching an almost empty bottle in his hand. He jiggled it. "Want some?"

I winced at the thought of drinking whatever his lips touched. "No thanks, I quite like my brain cells." I stepped closer to him, clenching my fists. "What's with this story about me and the Phantom of the Opera?"

He sniggered. "You came and knocked me out only moments before he tried to hurt Carlotta. Coincidence? You never showed interest in me before."

"Gee, I wonder why?" I replied with sarcasm, folding my arms. "But I don't know the ghost."

"Why are you at Box Five then?" Joseph asked, nodding towards the empty box.

I yanked Nadir's letter out of my pocket. "I need to find Maria. I usually work this spot with her. I just got a letter from a man who wants to escort her to a dance! I've gotta find her, have you seen her?"

He took another step closer, reaching out for the letter. "Lemme read it."

I mocked horror. "Oh my god, you are not seriously suggesting to read Monsiour Firmin's invitation for Maria, are you?"

He paused, considering his next options. Whether I was lying, or whether I was telling the truth. "She's on the stage, talking to some of the dancers."

I nodded, grinning as I sped past him, delighted that my on the spot plan worked, but annoyed that I'd have to talk to Erik later. I'd have to go spend some time with Maria and get her to go along with my plan, in case Buquet was watching, which he no doubt would. I'd tell her that it was to get away from Joseph, but I wouldn't tell her why.